A Texas historian has called Bob Bowman “the people’s historian” because his writings reflect down-to-earth East Texas history--forgotten towns, good ol’ boy expressions, historic murders, unusual Cemeteries, home remedies and other subjects beloved by East Texans.

Born at Hickory Grove in Anderson County and reared in logging and sawmill towns, Bob wrote for newspapers at Diboll, Tyler, Lufkin and Houston before embarking on a successful public relations and marketing career at Lufkin.

Bob and his wife Doris have written almost 40 books, won numerous awards, and are among the most popular speakers in East Texas. They also own Best of East Texas Publishers of Lufkin, which publishes books for authors throughout Texas.

Bob is a former member of the Texas Historical Commission, former president of the East Texas Historical Association, and served on the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission and the Texas Capitol Centennial Commission.  He and Doris have also served as chairs of Humanities Texas.